Fluid retarding or braking device



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Dec. 5, 1939. F. A, DEUTSCH FLUID RETARDING OIR BRAKINC.' DEVICE Filed Aug. 19, 1937 Smets-Shen l 22 Q I Il 44 11 *l 1 49 1 f ,1| 4e M l )V47 0 i A 45 wg w52 45 i 53 fa 2f 55 Een@ a7 l g; gg 29 30 36 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Dec. '5, 41939 I' PATENT oFFicE FLUID aETAnDmG on nahme DEVICE Fritz Albert Deutsch, Berlin, Germany Application August' 19, 1931, semi No. 159,925

Germany December 22, 1936 '5 claims. (c1. 18s-ss) This invention relates to a fluid retarding or braking deviceofthe type having a piston relatively movable in a ,cylinder with a substantially fluid-tight t therein.

In this type of retarding device any relative movement of the piston in the cylinder will cause a iiow of iiuid through orices or openings arranged either in the piston or in the cylinder or in both. The flow of fluid through such oriiices or openings may be regulated by suitable means, such as valves, to obtain by the use of the device a retarding or braking action of the desired characteristics.

A retarding device of this character may be used with various mechanism or apparatus wherein it is desirable to retard or control the velocities of relative movements between any two parts of said mechanisms or apparatus. y

However, in order to clearly illustrate and describe the invention, but without anyintention to limit it thereto, the invention isvshown and described herein as embodied in shock absorbers particularly adapted to be used upon motor vehicles, it being understood that one relatively movable part of the device, such as the cylinder, is operatively connected with one relatively movable part of the vehicle such as the axle, while the other relatively movable part of the device such as the piston, is operatively connected with another relatively movable part of the vehicle, such as the chassis or frame.

Further, by way of illustration, the uid retarding devices embodying the invention are shown and described herein as hydraulic retarding devices, wherein the retarding liquid may be a suitable cil.

In fluid retarding devices the valves which regulate the iiow of fluid through they openings or orifices in the pistons or cylinders may be changed to obtain dierent retarding characteristics by the use of the device under different operating conditions and to meet different requirements. v

Heretofore it has been necessary in changing the valves of iluid retarding devices, as above stated, to either disassemble the devices orto provide special openings in the casings of the devices and through which the valves are accessible.

The disassembling of the devices for this purpose makes the changing of the valves a slow and complicated performance and, in addition, in the case of hydraulic retarding devices, results in loss of the retarding liquid.

The provision of ys pecial openings in the cases of the devices and through which the valves are accessiblefor adjustment means .more complicated and expensive constructions, particularly in instances where the devices have reservoirs surrounding the working cylinders or chambers. 5 When such openings are provided it is necessary to furnish closure members therefor, which must i be packed and tightened fully into' closed position to prevent leakage of fluid with a resultant reduction in the eicient f unctioning of the de- 10 vice.

'I'he'principal object of the presentgdnvention is to provide in a uid retarding or braking device of the character specified, means whereby the valve or valves controlling the flow of fluid upon relative movements of the cylinder and piston can be readily adjusted from exteriorly of the device Without requiring the provision of openings therein or the disassembling thereof.

A further object is to provide a iluid retarding device, such as' referred to in the above object, which is of economical construction, since it is not necessary to provide therein openings through which the valve or valves are accessible or closure members for said openings, together with packing for the closure members.

Another object oi and advantage residing in iiuid retarding devices embodying the invention is that danger of fluid leakage, which would impair the eiicient operationV of the devices, is reduced to a minimum.

The present invention in another of its aspects has for an object the provision in a fluid retardingdevice of a fluid control valve and adjustable means therefor of such character that the device 'can have in operation any desired or required diagrammatic characteristics, such as a mere over-pressure diagram, a mere by-pass diagram or various combinations of both of these diagrams,

The invention also in one of its phases has for an object the adjustment of the uid-iiow control valve or valves from the exterior of the device, when the relatively movable piston and cylinder are at the limits of their relative movements in opposite directions, while in a diierent phase of the invention an object thereof is to provide means whereby the fluid ow control valve or valves can be adjusted from exteriorly of the device, irrespective of where the piston and cylinder are in their relative movements.

Further and additional objects and advantages residing in the invention will become apparent hereinafter in connection with the detailed description of embodiments thereof which is to follow.

In attaining the objects and advantages hereinbefore set forth, the invention in its broad aspects contemplates the following:

It will be presumed that fluid retarding or braking devices, as referred to herein, include devices having a part provided With a portion located within the working cylinder or chamber and with a portion located exteriorly thereof, as, for example, the'piston and piston rod wherein the piston is within the cylinder while the rod extends exteriorly thereof, or a screw cap for closing an end of the working cylinder or chamber and having a portion in communication with the interior thereof and a portion accessible from the exterior thereof. It is proposed to utilize a part having portions of this character for adjusting the valve or valves of the devicesfrom th exterior thereof, since the portion of said part that is located exteriorly of the cylinder or working chamber furnishes the means whereby said part can be turned relatively to the cylinder or chamber.

In connection with the turning of such a part from the exterior of the device, means would be provided within the device and associated with said part and with the valve or valves to'be controlled, whereby the turning of the part relative to the cylinder or chamber would effect an adjustment of said valve or valves. 'Ihis means can be of such character that the adjustment of the valve or valves must take place when the piston and cylinder are at their limits of relative movements in opposite directions, or it can be of such character that the adjustment can occur at any point in the relative movements of the piston and cylinder. The adjustable valve or valves may be located either in the piston, the piston rod, vthe working chamber or cylinder or in some or all of such parts.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a double acting hydraulic retarding device or shock absorber embodying the invention and wherein the valves controlling the relative movements between the piston and cylinder in both directions can be adjusted from exteriorly of the device. 1

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 2-'2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view through a different form of retarding device embodying the invention from that shown in Fig. 1 and wherein the fluid flow control valve and its adjusting means are shown carried by the piston since they are mounted in the lower end of the piston rod.

Fig. 4 is a'. view similar to Fig. 3A but on a larger scale and showing a different form of fluid flow control valve from that shown in Fig. 3, while the adjusting means for the valve is mounted in the piston and not in the piston rod.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 and illustrates a still different form of iiuid control valve and adjusting means therefor in a retarding device embodying the invention.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view similar ot Fig. 1; through a modified retarding device. the device shown in Fig. 6 embodying a modied form of construction from any previously shown in that the fluid control valve can be adjusted at any point in the reiative movements of the piston and cylinder.

' Fig. 'I is a detached detail top plan view of one of the parts of the retarding device shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through a different form of retarding device from any previously illustrated and embodying the invention,

Fig. 9 is a sectional view through a retarding device of the so-called link and lever type as distinguished from the direct acting type and embodying the invention, and

Figs. 10 and 11 are fragmentary longitudinal sectional views through still different forms of retarding devices embodying the invention.

The retarding device shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings is of the direct and double actingr type of shock absorber which may be employed advantageously upon motor vehicles although susceptible of other advantageous uses.

The shockvabsorber shown in these views comprises a cylindrical casing or housing I0 closed at one end by a closure cap II mounted and secured in the casing or housing II) by any suitable means, such as for example by welding, wherefore the cap has a fluid-tight connection Ywith the casing or housing.

A cylindrical tube I2 is mounted in the casing or housing I0 in concentric spaced relation therewith. The cylindrical'tube' I2 forms the working chamber or cylinder of the shock absorber and has its lower end closed by means of a cylindrical plug i3 projecting into the tube I2 and provided exteriorly thereof with an enlarged annular iiange I4 engaging an inturned flange at the lower end of the casing or housing I0; suitable means being employed to unite the ange I4, the flange on the lower end of the casing I0 and the cylinder I2 in fluid-tight engagement.

'I'he plug I3 outwardly or downwardly of the flange I4 is provided with an eye portion I5 for connecting the shock absorber to one of the movable parts of the motor vehicle as, for example, to Athe axle thereof. n

'I'he upper end of the cylinder I2 is closed and sealed by a plug I6 extending into the cylinder and having at its upper end an annular flange overlying the end of the cylinder and circumferentially contacting the interior of the housing or casing IIJ and provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings I'I placing the space between the cylinder I2 and the housing or casing I I) and which space constitutes a reservoir into communication with a. space'l8 between the outer side of the plug I6 and the in-l ner side of the cap II.

A piston I9 is located in the cylinder I2 between the plugs I3 and I6 and said piston has a sliding substantially fluid-tight fit within the cylinder. Fixed to the piston I9 is a piston rod 20 that projects outwardly of the device through a central bearing opening in the plug I6 and through a suitable centrally disposed opening in the cap I I; it being noted that the cap II is so constructed adjacentv said centrally disposed opening as to hold in position in the space I8 a packing gasket 2| which surrounds the piston rod 20 to prevent the escape of uid from the device. 'I'he outer end of the piston rod 20 is provided with an eye portion 22 whereby said piston rod can be attached to a relatively movable part of the motor vehicle, such as the chassis or frame thereof as will be well understood.

It will be appreciated when the shock absorber is mounted in position upon a motor vehicle with the eye portiony I of the plug I3 connected to the axle of the vehicle and with the eye portion 22 o! the piston rod 20 connected to the chassis or trame thereof, that relativemovements between the axle and chassis or-irame of the vehicle will cause relative linear movements between the cylinder I2 and the piston I9.

The plug I3 is provided at its inner end with a centrally disposed counterbore or recess 23 from the bottom of which recess passages 24 and 25 extend toward the outer end of the plug and communicate with a passage 26 extending diametrically of the plug I3 and registering at its opposite ends with openings 21 formed in the cylinder I2. The passage 25 is located substantially at the central point of the recess or counterbore 23, while the passage 24 isrlocated outwardly of the center of the recess, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

An adjustable valve is mounted in the recess or counterbore 23 in the plug I3 and said valve is in the form of a plate 28 having a close but sliding fit in the recess or counterbore and provided in its circumferential edge with a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses or notches 28 (see Fig. 2). The upper or inner side of the plate 28 is provided with a suitably shaped socket 38, in this instance of cylindrical cross-section, While on the underside of the plate 28 and arranged centrally thereof and bearing upon the bottom of the recess or counterbore 23 is an adjustment portion 3 I, the peripheraledge of which is of spiral formation. It will be seen that when the plate 28 is rotated in the recess or counterbore 23 'the adjustment portion 3I will variably overlie to a greater or lesser extent the inner end of the passage 24 in the plug I3 and thusl change or vary the effective size of said passage.

Suitable means may be provided for holding the p plate 28 in its dierent adjusted positions, and for this purpose the lower or outer side of the adjustment portion 3| has been illustrated as provided with a plurality of centrally arranged and circularly spaced recesses 32 cooperating with a spring-pressed ball 33 mounted inthe plug I3 and acting as a spring point to engage various of the recesses 32 to hold the plate 23 in its different adjusted positions. In order to prevent the inward or upward dislodgement of the plate 28 from the recess or counterbore 23 a circular spring 34 may be secured in the wall of the counterbore or recess 23 at its upper or inner end, so as to overlie the peripheral edge of the plate. It will beunderstood that upon the downward stroke of the piston I8 in the cylinder I2 the pressure of the fluid causes the adjustment portion 3l of the plate 28 to bear upon the bottom of the counterbore or recess 23 and to close the passage 25, wherefore the iluid displaced by the piston rod 20 as it moves into'the cylinder must ilow through the circumferential recesses 29 in the plate 28 and through the passages 24 and 26 to the reservoir located between the casing. or housing I0 and the cylinder l2.

Upon the upward movement of the piston in the cylinder the adjustment portion 3l of the plate 28 will be drawn by suction slightly away from the bottom of the counterbore or recess 23, wherefore the fluid will be drawn from the reservoir through the passage 26 and through both passages 24 and 25 into the cylinder I2 below` the piston,` it being understood' that this unseating of the portion 3I of the plate 28 from the bottom of the counterbore or'recess 23 is not suilicient to disengage the ball 3,3 of the spring point from the recess 32 in which it is'seated, inasmuch as said ball follows the unseating movement of the plate, due to the spring urging it in such direction.

The plug I6-on its inner or lower sideis provided with-a recess. or counterbore 35 similar to the recess or counterbore 23 in the plug I3, and a plate identical with the plate 28 and so designated in the drawings, is mounted in said recess or counterbore 35 and maintained against displacement downwardly and outwardly thereof 'by a circular spring 36 correspondingto the spring 34.

It will'be understood that the spiral adjustinent portion 3i of the plate 28 which is arranged in the counterbore or recess 35 in the plug member I 8 is now located on the upper side of the plate and in engagement with the inner or upper end of the counterbore or 'recess 35 and overlies an opening or passage 31 in theplug I6 that communicates with the space I8 above the plug. The plate 28 in the recess or counterbore 35 can be held in adjusted position by means of a suitable spring point corresponding to the ball 33 and recesses 32 previously described in connection -with the plate 28 that is located in the recess or counterbore 23. However, it is not believed necessary to illustrate such spring point in connection with the plug I6.

It will be understood that upward movement of the piston I9 in the cylinder causes the rluid vto ow through the recesses .S'and through the openingl or passage 31 into-the space I8 and thence through the opening I into the reservoir. The spring 36 which holds the plate 28 in the recess 35 is so positioned with respect to the plate that the latter can be adjustably turned but will .not move away from the upper end of the recess any substantial distance.

The piston I9 is provided with a passage 38 extending therethrough and including an enlarged portion in which is mounted a ball valve 39 which is held seated when the piston is moving toward the upper end of the cylinder l24 but which is unseated when the piston is moving in -the opposite direction to allow a flow of the fluid through the passage 38 to the upper side of the piston. The piston l@ is provided on its upper side with a pin Ml and on its lower side with a similar pin 4I, said pins being preferably .but not necessarily in alignment with each other.

It will be seen that the plates 28 can be ad,- justed from exteriorly of the device in a very simple and expeditious manner which will now be explained.

Either the eye portion l5 of the plug I3 is disconnected from vthe'part ofthe vehicle to which it is attached, or the eye portion 22 of the piston rod 28 is so detached, after which the relatively movable parts of the shock absorber can be moved to their limit of movement in one or the other direction. Assuming that said parts have been moved to their limit of movement in the outward or extended direction, the pin l0 on the upper side of the piston I8 can be engaged in the recess 30 of lthe plate 28 in the counterbore 35, whereupon relative rotation canbe imparted to the piston and cylinder by rotating the part of the shock absorber which has been detached from the member to which it is normally connected, and such relative rotation of the piston and cylinder will act to turn said plate 28 and to vary the relationship between the spiralthe opening 31 to increase or diminish the eective sv e of said openingv as the case may be.

It ill be understood that if it is desired to adjust the plate 26 that is located in the counter- 5 bore or recess 23, then the piston is relatively moved to the limit of its downward or inward movement in the cylinder I2 toengage the pin 4l on the underside of the piston with the recess 38 in the upper surface of the plate. 1o In other words, when either of the pins 40 or 4I on the piston have been. engaged with the cooperating recess in either of the respective plates 28, the piston will act as a wrench so that relative rotation between the piston and cylinder will cause a movement of the plates relative to the cylinder and plugs and thus change the relationship between the adjustment portions 3| of the plates and the openings with which they cooperate, the spring points acting to hold the plates in adjusted position.

It will be understood that in the normal operation of the shock absorber shown in Fig. 1 the relative reciprocating movements of the piston I9 in the cylinder I2 are not of such length as to bring the pins 40 and 4| into engagement with the plates 28. The only time that the pins 48 and 4| will engage with the plates is when the shock absorber has been completely collapsed or extended for the purpose of adjusting the plates.

A modified form of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 3. In this View the cylinder of the retarding device is indicated at 42 and the piston 43 slides therein with a substantially fluid-tight fit. The piston 43 includes a piston rod 44 to the inner end of which it is secured by any suitable means and locked against relative rotative movement with respect thereto. It will be understood that although the piston 43 is shown as screwed upon the threaded lower` end of the piston rod 44 that it may be otherwise mounted on said rod, and furthermore that suitable means can be provided for locking the piston against relative rotative movement in position upon the end of the rod, such as by a locking pin or other suitable means.

The piston 43 is provided with a passage 45 therethrough and having an enlarged portion in which is mounted a bali valve 46, it being understood that upward movement of the piston, as viewed in the drawing, maintains said ball valve closed while downward movement thereof unseats the ball valve and allows the fluid to ilow from beneath the piston through the passage 45 to the upper side thereof. The lower end of the piston rod 44 is provided with an internally threadedcounterbore 41, having at its upper end a reduced counterbore communicating with a short passage 48 extending. longitudinally of the rod and terminating in a transverse passage 49. The passage 48 is sealed during downward movement of the piston by a ball valve 58 located in the reduced counterbore at the upper end of the counterbore 41.

This valve is held in seated position by a coil spring 5| engaging at one end the valve and at its opposite end an adjustable abutment sleeve l52 which is externally threaded and screws into the threaded counterbore 41, it being noted that the abutment sleeve 52 is provided with a passage 53 extending therethrough. The lower end of the sleeve 52 is provided with an annular ange 54 having in its peripheryone or more recesses 55 that cooperate when the piston is in its most inof the cylinder and projecting upwardly therein.

It will be understood that when the piston 43 is moved to its most inward or downward position in the cylinder and the pin 56 engaged with the recess 55 in the flange 54 that relative rotation of the cylinder and piston will cause a relative rotation between the sleeve 52 and the piston and piston rod 44 secured thereto and-such relative rotation will cause the sleeve to screw inwardly vor outwardly in the counterbore 41 to vary the tension of the spring 5| and hence the pressure required to unseat the valve 50 during the upward movement of the piston.

In Fig. 4 the retarding device comprises a cylinder 51 and a piston 58 slidably mounted therein with a substantially fluid-tight nt. The piston 58. is provided with a centrally disposed opening that communicates with a threaded counterbore 59 located on the underside of the piston as viewed in the drawings. The piston rod 68 has its lower threaded end screwed into the opening in the piston and locked in position therein by means of a pin 6I extending radially of the piston and through said rod, wherefore the piston and rod cannot have relative rotation. The piston rod at its lower end is provided with a bore 62 communicating at its upper end with openings 63 extending laterally from the bore and placing the same in communication with the interior of the cylinder above the piston. The lower end of the piston rod 60 forms a valve seat and is located in the counterbore 59. A passage 64 extends through the piston from the counterbore to the upper end of the pistonand is provided with an enlarged portion in which is located a ball valve 65 that seals the passage 64 upon upward movement of the piston, but becomes unseated when the piston is moving downwardly to allow the ud to pass through the opening 64 to the upper side of the piston.

The bore 62 in the piston rod is sealed by a conical or tapered valve 66 that seats on the valve seat at the lower end of the rod and within the counterbore 59. This valve is provided with a valve pin 61 extending downwardly from the valve and through a centrally disposed opening in the bottom wall of a threaded cup-shaped adjusting member 68 that can be screwed inwardly or outwardly in the threaded counterbore 59. The lower end of the pin 61 below the bottom of the member 68 has secured thereto a head 69 which acts as a stop under the conditions later to be pointed out. A coil spring 10 surrounds the pin 61 and one of its ends seats on the bottom of the cup member 68 and its opposite end abuts the underside of the valve 66. The bottom of the cup member 68 is provided with an opening so that uid can flow into and out of the counterbore 59, and for the further purpose of engaging the pin 12 that is mounted in the lower end of the cylinder 51 when the piston is at its lowermost position in the cylinder, wherefore relative rotation between the piston and cylinder will cause the member 68 to be screwed inwardly or outwardly as the case may be in the counterbore 59 and thus vary the tension on the spring 10.

It will be seen that .when the member 68 is screwed outwardly of `the counterbore it will engage the head 69 on the pin 61and cause an outward or downward movement of the valve 66. If the parts are in the relative positions shown in Fig. 4 with the valve 66 fully seated, the outward screwing of the member 68 will move the valve downwardly, due to the engagement of the memvariation in the tension of the spring 10.

aisaoie depending upon the amount of downward movement of the valve, and hence a regulated or adjustable by-passorifice around the valve is provided. Furthermore, the valve will at this time be 10 spring-loaded so that when itis subjected to pressures exceeding a predetermined pressure upon the upward movement of the piston in the cyl inder, the valve may open still further and against y the action of the-spring 10 to relieve such pres- 15 sures. The use of the conical or tapered valve,

the adjusting member 68 and the head 69 on the pin 81 enables a wide variety of different sized by-pass oriiices or openings to be provided around the valve. The valve, therefore, acts as an ad- 20 instable orifice control or by-pass valve, but since` it is under spring tension it also functions as an over-pressure or pop-off valve as well. It will likewise be noted that the member 88 can be screwed inwardly and outwardly in a manner to vary the tension of the spring lll,l thus providing adjustment of the over-pressure or pop-oli function of the valve.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the construction shownin Fig. 4 is such that by I the provision of very simple means and without vrequiring material changes in the construction or fabrication of the device, the device can be adjusted so as to have any` required diagrammatical characteristic, that is, it can have the characteristics of a mere by-pass valve, a mere pop-off or over-pressure valve, or a combination of both. This arrangement is extremely important'n connection with shock absorbers for motor vehicles wherein different road conditions and diierent 40 types of vehicle springs require adjustments of the functional characteristics ,of the shock absorber. Likewise, some people prefer the riding characteristics given a Vehicle by a relatively hard acting shock absorber, while others prefer riding characterlsticsl obtainable from the use of shock absorbers with easy acting characteristics. Adjustment of the valve 66 in the shock absorber constructed in accordance with the showing of Fig. 4 will take care of obtaining the diii'erent characteristics desired or required.

In Fig. '5 the retarding device comprises a cylinder 'i3 in which the piston 'M is slidably mounted with a substantially fluid-tight t. 'Ihe piston rod 15 extends through an opening in the piston and is provided adjacent its lower end with spaced groovesu lying on opposite sides of the piston and containing circular springs 16 and Tl for retaining the piston in position. A plate 18 similar to the plate 28 described in connection with the form shown in Fig. 1 forms an operative part of the piston and is mounted on the piston rod l intermediate the piston 'H and the circular spring 11, with the spiral adjustment portion 19 of the plate that corresponds to the portion 3| of the previously described plate engaging the under or lower face of said piston, while the under or lower side of vthe plate is provided with a recess 88 corresponding to the recess 30 in the plate 28.

The piston 14 is held against rotation relative to the rod 15 by a pin 8| and .is provided with an opening 82 extending therethrough, the effective size of which is controlled or determined by the relationship between it and the spiral adjustment portion 19 of the plate 18. The piston 14 is also shock absorber to be made to obtain the desired provided with an opening 83 therethrough and having an enlarged portion in which is located a ball valve. r

It will be seen that upon upward movement of the piston the iluid iiows through the passage 82 5 and through the circumferential recesses 84 in the plate 'IB-and corresponding to the recesses 29 in the plate 28. Upon downward movement of the piston in the cylinder the ball valve in the passage 83 unseats and fluid is free to ow from the underside of the piston through the recesses 84 and said passage 83 to the upper. side thereof as well as through the passage 82. When the piston is in its fully collapsed or mostinward position the recess 80 in the plate 18 can be engaged with the pin 85 carried bythe lower end of the cylinder and projecting upwardly into the interior thereof, wherefore relative rotation between the cylinder and piston will effect an adjusting rotation of the plate I8 to vary the relationship of the spiral adjustment portion -19 thereof with respect to the passage 82 to change the effective size of the latter, it being understood that suitable means such as spring points can be provided to hold the plate in adjusted position.

v In the forms of the invention heretofore Ldescribed the adjustment of the uid iiow control valve or valves must take place when the4 piston is at one or the other-limit .of its relative movements in the cylinder. In the form now to be described and illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, the uid flow control valve can be adjusted when the piston is in any of its positionsA relative to the cylinder, that is, it is unnecessary in thismodied form of construction to completely collapse or extend the relatively movable piston and cylinder.

. In Fig. 6 the retarding device comprises a cylindrical casing 86 in which the piston 81 is slidably mounted. The casing or cylinder 86 is closed at its upper end, as viewed in the drawing, by a closure member 88 and at its lower end by another closure member 89 having an eye portion 99, by means of which the cylinder can be connected to one of the relatively movable parts of the mechanism or apparatus with which the device is used, as, for example, to the axle of a motor vehicle.

Inwardly of the closure member 88 there is mounted'in the cylinder a plug 9|, a suitable gasket 92 being positioned intermediate the member 88 and the plug 9| to provide a fluid-tight seal. The space between the member 88 and the plug 9| indicated at 93 constitutes a reservoir space. In the cylinder at its lower end and above the member 88 is a plug 94, while the space between the member 89 and-plug 94 and indicated at 95 also constitutes a reservoir space. The two reservoir spaces 93 and 95 are connected by a tube 96 `mounted at one end in an opening formed in the plug 9| and at its opposite end is an opening extending through the plug 94 and a boss formed on the upper side thereof. The piston 8l includes a piston rod 91 to the lower end of which it is secured for rotation relative thereto. The piston rod 91 extends through openings in the member 88 and plug 9| to the exterior of the device, suitable packing 98 surrounding the ref? and carried .by the member 88 as well as suitable packing se- 'cured to the inner side of the plug 9| and surrounding the rod and the tube 98 preventing the escape of fluid around the rod.

The piston 81 is held against relativel rotation with respect to the cylinder 86by the tube 96 which extends through an opening in the piston eccentrically with respect to the rod 91. The piston on its upper side, as viewed in the drawing, 75

is screwed into the bore ard has its upper reduced end controlling the eictive size of the openings |02 The valve |03 is provided with a centrally disposed passage placing the bore l0! in communication with the interior of the cylinder below the piston. The lower end of the valve |03 carries a laterally extending arm |04 at the outer end of which is a forked portion |05 that s'traddles the tube 95.,

It will be seen that when the piston rod 91 ls rotated relative to the cylinder 86 the piston 81 and the valve |03 are held against rotation relative to the cylinder by the tube 96, and hence the rotation of the piston rod acts to screw the valve openings and into the bore |0I.

The plug member 94 is provided with an opening |06 communicating with the interior of the cylinder and with the reservoir space 95. The plug 94 is also provided with a centrallydisposed opening |01 communicating with the interior of the cylinder and the reservoir space 95, and having an enlarged portion in which is mounted a valve |08. During the collapsing or downward stroke of the piston the uid displaced by the rod 91 is forced through the opening |06 into thereservoir space and thence into the tube 96 and the reservoir space. 93. During the downward movement of the piston the valve |08 controlling the passage |01 is closed. During the upward or extension stroke the uid which had previously been displaced by the piston rod is drawn back into the cylinder from the spaces 95 and 93 and the tube 96 through the opening |06 and the opening |01, the valve |08 at this time being unseated.

In the form shown in Fig. 8 the cylinder is indicated at |09V and has a piston ||0 slidably mounted therein, this piston being held against rotation relative to the cylinder by means of a tube I|| corresponding to the tube 96 shown in' Fig. 6 and passing eccentrically through the piston and having its opposite ends in communication with reservoir spaces corresponding to the spaces 93 and 95 in Fig. 6.

A piston rod ||2 has its lower end rotatably mounted in the piston l0 by suitable means, such as the circular springs ||3 carried in grooves formed in th rod and located on opposite sides of a portion of the piston. 'Ihe ow of uid passing from the cylinder above the piston to the cylinder below the piston is controlled by a conical or tapered valve ||4 located in the opening ||5 through the piston. The valve I4 is spring-tensioned by a spring ||6, the tension of which can be adjusted by a control lever ||1. The spring H6 and the control lever ||1 are located in a counterbore I8 formed on the underside of the piston, said lever ||1 being pivotally supported by an eye mounted on a pin ||9 carried by inwardly extending lugs or ears formed on the piston within the counterbore ||8.

Approximately midway of its opposite ends the i lever ||1 is connected by a 'pin |20 extending through an opening in the lever to a forked portion |2| on the lower endof a member |22. This member |22 is connected to a threaded shaft |23 which extends into a cylinder |24 and is connected thereto by easy going or loose threads indicated by dotted lines in the drawings. The cylinder |24 is movably mounted in a bore |25 in the lower end of the rod ||2 but has a relatively tight fit therein. The cylinder is held against displacement from the bore 25 by a plate |26, there previously being interposed between the inner side of the plate and the end of the cylinder anti-friction members |21 in the form of smallballs` When there is no pressure in the cylinder the piston rod ||2 can be rotated relative to the piston and relative to the cylinder |24 mounted in the bore |25 at the lower end of the rod. By collapsing or moving the piston inwardly of the cylinder to some extent sufficient pressure can be created in the cylinder below the piston to press the cylinder |24 fully into the bore |25 in the piston rod ||2 and thus create additional frictional. contact between the cylinder |24 and the piston rod, so that the rotation of the piston rod will cause the cylinder to rotate therewith, wherefore the threaded shaft |23 will be screwed inwardly or outwardly of the cylinder |24 to thus move the lever H1 about its pivotal mounting, with a consequent alteration in the tension of the spring ||6 which controls the valve H4.

It will be seen that the valve ||4 can be adjusted from exteriorly of the device by merely moving the piston inwardly of the cylinder far enough to create sucient pressure to cause the cylinder |24 to rotate with the piston rod I2.

In Fig. 9 the retarding device is shown as a single acting shock absorber of the link and lever type and in which the adjustable valve is located in the piston |28 that is slidable in the cylinder |29. The piston |28. is not rotatable relative to the cylinder |29, and is reciprocated therein by means of the link |30 pivotally connected to the piston and to a lever |3| forming part of an actuating shaft |32 as will be well understood.

The adjusting means for the valve may be in the form of a screw |33 that can be screwed inwardly or outwardly of the piston 28 as, for example, an adjusting screw similar to the member 52 in Fig. 3 or the member |03 in Fig. 6. The

' onto the lower end of the cylinder |29. It-wi1l be seen that when the clamping collar |40 is slightly loosened and the piston brought down to the lower end of the cylinder to engage the pin |36 with the opening |35 in the head of the screw |33, then the member |31 can be rotated relative to the cylinder to cause an inward or` outward adjusting movement of the screw |33.

From the foregoing explanation of diierent embodiments of the invention it will be seen that the present invention provides in a fluid retarding or braking device means whereby the valve or valves controlling the flow of fluid upon relative linear movements of the cylinder and piston can be readily adjusted from exteriorly of the device without requiring the provision of openings therein or the disassembling thereof.

Furthermore, retarding devices embodying' the invention will be of. economic construction, since it will not be necessary to provide openings or closure members and packings therefor for the purpose of adjusting the fluid control valve or valves. Likewise, since the devices are not provided with valve adjusting openings the 'leakage of iiuid from the cylinders thereof can be reduced to a minimum with a consequent improvement in the functioning of the device. It will further have been observed that the adjustment of the valve or valves can be obtained in a device embodying the invention either when the piston is at its limits of movement in opposite directions in the cylinder or at any point in its relative linear movement in the cylinder. 2

In addition to the form of the invention relating to the adjustment of the iiuid iow control valve or valves from the exterior of the devices,

' particular importance is attached to vthat phase of theA invention illustrated specifically in Fig. 4 and covering the provislon in a uid retarding device of. a fluid flow control valve and adjusting means therefor of such character that the device can have in operation any desired or required diagrammatical characteristics, such as a mere over-pressure or pop-off diagram, a mere by-pass diagram or various combinations of both of these diagrams.

In Fig. 10 there is disclosed a form of retarding device embodying the present invention and wherein both the high pressure side and the low pressure side can be regulated independently of each other after the relatively movable parts of the device have been collapsed or compressed to approximately their shortest length. In this form of retarding device the low pressure side is first regulated Aand then upon a slightly further collapsing or compressing of the device the high pressure side may be regulated.

In the form shown in Fig. 10 there is the piston rod 20| which carries the piston 202 that slides in the cylinder 203. 'I'he piston 202 carries on its lower end a plate 204 against which the regulating body or valve 205 is pressed by the coil spring 206. The plate 204 has a bore 201 which can be more or less covered by the spirallike regulating portion 208 of theregulating body or valve 205 that is similar to the portion 3| of the ,plate or valve 28, see Figs. 1 and 2.

The piston 202 is provided with bores 209 through which the liquid can iiow and thus have access to the regulating bore 201. 'I'he body or valve 205 carries on its underside a conical pin 2| I that projects through an opening in the plate 204 and has its lower end serrated. It will be understood that the liquid in the cylinder 203 above the piston rod 202 and which is displaced by the upward movement of the piston, flows either to the underside of the piston through the bores 209 and the regulating bore 201 or, in part, it may ow to a suitable reservoir or to a by-pass connecting the upper end of the cylinder with the lower end. This arrangement has not been illustrated since it is- Well known in the art.

The lower end of the working chamber of the cylinder 203 is closed by means of the closure member 2 I8 located on the inside of thecylinder and provided with a counterbore or recess at its inner or upper end. The member 2|8 is provided with a xed plate 2|4 that has a regulating bore 2I6, and this body or valve 2|2 has a spiral-like regulating portion 2|3 that regulates the eifective size or cross-sectional area of the bore 2I5. The body or valve 2|2 is provided on its upper side with a boss 221 that projects through'an opening in the plate 2M and is provided with a conical recess complementary to the pin 2I| of the high pressure valve.205 and interiorly serrated so as to interlock with said pin when the latter is positioned in the recess. The body or valve 2I2 on its underside is provided with a conical serrated pin 2|1 that cooperates with a conical serrated recess 2|9 formed in a boss projecting outwardly from the bottom of the counterbore in the member 2|8.

The spring 206 that acts on the high pressure regulating body or valve 205 is considerably stronger than the spring 2 I 6 that acts on the low pressure regulating valve or body 2|2, wherefore it will be obvious that the regulating body or valve 2|2 can be turned relative to its associated plate more readily than the regulating valve or body 205. It will be understood that the liquid displaced by the piston 202 as it moves toward the low pressure side of the device passes through the bore 2I5 and into the counterbore in the member 2|8, and that suitable passages may be provided inthe member 2|8 to carry such liquid to 'a reservoir or to a by-pass connected with the high pressure side of the device. Inasmuch as such an arrangement is well known and is illustrated in other forms of the invention disclosed herein, it has been omitted in Fig. for the pur- -poses ofl brevity.

The regulation of the low pressure side and of th'e high pressure side of the device is made as follows: The device is compressed or collapsed, that is, the piston 202 is moved toward the low pressure end of the cylinder 203 until the conical pin 2| I caried by the body or valve 205 engages in the recess formed in the boss 222 of the body or valve 2I-3. Then the cylinder 203, piston 202 and piston rod 20| are rotated'relative to each other and such relative rotation due to the friction between the valve body 205 and the plate 204 occasioned by the action of the strong spring 206 causes the valve body 205 to move as a unit with the piston 202, wherefore no adjustment is effected of the bore 201. However, since the coni- 'cal pin 2|| is in engagement with the recess in the boss v221 of the body or valve 2|2 and such valve or body is retained by the weak spring 2I0 against the plate 2l@ with a relatively low friction, it will be seen that the relative movement of the cylinder and piston overcomes this low friction and causes the valve body y2|2 to rotate relative to the plate 2M, wherefore the spiral portion 2I3 will vary the effective cross-sectional area of the bore 2I5 and thus adjustably change or regulate the low pressure side of the-device.

In other words, the plate 204,A body or valve 205, spring 206, pin 2|| arid the recess in the body or .valve 2|2 -acts as a friction clutch to cause a relative rotation between the plate 2|4 and the spiral portion 2|3 of the body or valve .2|2.

In order to adjust the high pressure body or valve 205 the device is stillfurther collapsed or compressed, wherefore the action of the spring 2|6 is overcome and the body or valve 2|2 moved toward the bottom of the counterbore in the ,member 2|8 until the pin 2|1 carried by the body or valve engages in the recess 2|9. When this occurs it will be apparent that the body or valve 2 I2 cannot rotate relative to the member 2|8 and,

in turn, the valve body 205, through the engage'- 5 ment of the pin 2H in the recess of the boss 221, cannot rotate relative to the valve body 2I2, wherefore relative rotation of the piston and cylinder will overcome the action of the spring 206 and result in a relative rotation of the plate 204 and the valve body 205 to cause the spiralllkeportion 208 of such body to change or regulate the effective cross-sectional area of the bore 201. In Fig. 11 there is disclosed a still different form of the invention and one wherein the high 15 pressure regulating body or valve may first be adjusted, and then the low pressure regulating body or valve adjusted upon the device4 being collapsed or compressed. This difference over the structure shown in Fig. l0 is effected by utilizing a weaker spring for holding the high pressure regulating body or valve in position than is employed in holding the low pressure regulating body or valve in position.r

In Fig. 11A the high pressure regulating body or valve 205 can turn more easily than the low pressure regulating body or valve 2I2. The manner in which the valves are regulated in the form shown in Fig. 11 is as follows: The piston is moved toward the lowpressure end of the cylinder until the serrated conical pin 224 carried by the high pressure regulating body or valve engages in the conical serrated recess 225 on the low pressure regulating body or valve. When this engagement has taken place relative rotation between the piston and cylinder will cause the high pressure regulating body or valve to rotate relative to its associated plate and thus change the effective area of the bore through said plate. This relative rotation of the high pressure regulating body or valve is due to the fact that the relatively strong spring acting on the low pressure regulating body or valve creates substantial friction between said body or valve and its associated plate, and since the high pressure regulating body or valve is connected with the other body or valve through the pin 224 and recess'225, the friction set up by the weaker spring in the piston is insuicient to cause the high pressure regulating body or valve to move with the piston and there is a slippage or relative rotation between said high pressure regulating body or valve and its associated plate. Upon further compression of the device, that is the movement of the piston toward the low pressure end, and due to the weakness of the spring in the piston as cornpared to the spring acting on the low pressure regulating body or valve, the high pressure regulating body or valve will be moved away from its associated pla-te until the serrated recess 223 formed therein receives the serrated conical point 22| on the end of the piston rod 220. When this takes place upon relative rotation between the piston, piston rod and the cylinder a positive driving relationship exists between the piston rod 35 and piston and the low pressure regulating body or valve through the high pressure regulating body or valve, and consequently relative rotation of the piston rod and piston and the cylinder overcomes the friction between the low pressure regulating body or valve and its associated plate and causes said body or valve to rotate relative to said plate and to thus change or regulate the effective cross-sectional area of the bore through said plate. Although a number of preferred embodiments a passage therethrough from one side of said 10 piston member to the other side thereof, a valveV controlling said passage, a spring urging said valve to closed position, means threadedly associated with said piston member for varying the tension of said spring, and means carried by 15 said cylinder and cooperating with said rst named means when said piston is in a predetermined position and upon relative rotation between said members 'to cause movement of said means relative to said piston to adjust the ten- 20 sion of said spring. f

2. In a iiuid retarding or breaking device, a cylinder member, a piston member relatively slidable therein, one of said members being provided with a passage through which iiuid Lllows upon 25 relative sliding movement between said members, a tapered or conical valve controlling the flow of uid through said passage, means for adjusting the relationship of said valve with respect to said passage to provide different size by-pass 30 openings around the valve; a spring urging said valve toward operative position and imparting to said valve the characteristics of a pop-oi or over-pressure valve, said means also adjusting the tension of said spring, said cylinder member 35 and said piston member being provided with means cooperating with each other in a predetermined relative vposition of said piston member in said cylinder member and upon relative rotation of said members to effect an -actuation of 40 said valve-adjusting and spring-tensioning means.

3. In a fluid retarding or braking device a cylinder member, a piston member relatively slidable therein, valve means having both the characteristics of a by-pass valve and a pop-off 45 or over-pressure valve for controlling the flow of fluid caused by sliding movement of'said piston member in said cylinder member, means for adjusting said valve to vary one or the other or both of its characteristics, and means carried by 50 said members and cooperating when said piston member is'in a predetermined position in said cylinder member and upon relative rotation of said members to effect an actuation of'said valveadjusting means. 55

4. In a direct acting hydraulic shock absorber,

a cylinder member, a piston member relatively slidable therein and including a piston rod having a passage therethrough from one side of said piston member to the other side thereof, a valve 60 normally seating against one end of said rod and controlling said passage, a spring urging said valve to seated position, means threadedly asso-- ciated with said piston member for varying the tension of said spring, and means carried by said cylinder and cooperating with said i'lrst named means when said piston is in a predetermined position in the cylinder and upon relative rotation between said membersto cause'movement 70 of said means relative to said piston to adjust the tension of said spring.

5. In a direct acting hydraulic shock absorber,

a cylinder member, a piston member relatively slidable` therein, valve means having both the,

aiaoie 9 characteristics o! a by-pass valve and a pop-olf or over-pressure valve for controlling the ow of fluid caused by sliding movement of said piston member in said cylinder member, means carried by said piston member for adjusting said valve to vary one or the other or both oi.' its characteristics, and means carried by said cylinder adjacent one end thereofand cooperating with said adjusting means carried by said piston when the latter is in a predetermined position in said cylinder member and upon relative rotation of said members to effect an actuation of said valveadjusting means.

FRITZ ALBERT DEUTSCH. 

